Apparatus used in covering wires or other cores with fibrous material.



PATENTED JUNE 11, 1907.

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F. HUTGHINS. APPARATUS USED IN COVERING WIRES OR OTHER corms WITH FIBROUS MATERIAL.

APPLICATION FILED 00119, 1906.

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I. HUTGHINS. APPARATUS USED IN COVERING WIRES OR OTHER GORES WITH FIBROUS MATERIAL. APPLIOATION rum) 00119. 1906.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FREDERICK HUTCHINS, OF HARLESDEN, ENGLAND.

APPARATUS USED IN COVERING WJRES OR OTHER CORES WITH FlBROuS MATERlAL.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 11, 1907.

Applicati n fil d October 19,1906. Serial No. 339,708-

To (all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FREDERICK HUTCHINS, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Crescent Works, Manor Park Road, l-Iarlesden, in the county of Middlesex, England, electrical engineer, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Apparatus Used in Covering i/Vire or other Cores with Fibrous Material, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improvements in apparatus used in covering wire or other cores with fibrous material in accordance with the method and apparatus patented to me jointly with William Alfred Phillips, on the 19th September 1905, Nos. 800012 and 800013.

In thepresent invention for the improved process theywire or core thread may be such as is commonly employed for electrical purposes, or it may be in the form of roving, yarn, thread, cord, or other continuous line, and this I call the core.

The covering material employed by me is either cotton, silk,such as wild or waste silk, vegetable silk, rabbits wool or other fiber in the form of a sliver or roving of untwisted or very slightly twisted band of fibers according to the requirements of the moment. The material for covering 'must essentially be in an untwisted or unspun condition when fed into the apparatus, and pref erably it is in the form of a roving, that is to say, it is in a band of parallelized fibers. This sliver or roving forms the source of supply for the covering of the core, but the fibers drawn off have no continuity of structure or connection with the roving from which they have been drawn.

In the following description .it is for convenience assumed that'wire is being covered with, cotton, but the description is equall applicable to the covering of other cores wit fibrous materials other than cotton.

These improvements are illustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows an elevation of the complete spindle and its relation to the feeding rollers and the supporting framework for the spindle. Fig. 2 shows the spindle in eleva tion, with its bearing and casing in section. Fig. 3 shows the fixed tube or casing which surrounds the spindle head, Fig. 4 being a horizontal section through CD in Fig. 3. Fig. 5 illustrates the method of holding a paper, cloth or like washer to form an air seal.

Fig. 6 is the nut which fastens the slottedhead, Fig. 7, on to the top of the spindle, Fig. 8. Figs. 9 and 10 show the gauze disk which covers the top of the slotted head of the spindle. Figs. 11 and 12 show in elevation and plan respectively a renewable steel piece against which the covered wire, or other core, rubs. Fig. 13 is a flat spring which is held in the support shown respectively, in elevation and plan, in Figs. 14 and 15. Figs 16 is a section through AB in Fig. 17, the latter being a plan of Fig. 16 showing the assembling of the spring-holder, spring and renewable piece inside the slotted spindle head.

In the above illustrations, Figs. 2, 3 and 4 are drawn to the same scale, and Figs. 5 to 17 are drawn to double the scale.

The upper end of the spindle, Fig. 8,

- is tapered at 12, threaded at 13 and slotted The part shown in section in Fig. 7 is that which has been, and will be, for convenience, referred to as the slotted-head. The lower portion of this, 17, is turned to the same taper as that on the spindle at 12, and is secured thereto by the nut, 21, Fig. 6, which screws on to thread 13. The lower part of the cup-shaped-portion of the slotted head has holes at 18, of which five or six is a convenient number (see Figs. 7, 16 and 17). The outer ring is pierced with holes, 19, and a recess, 20, is turned inside the top of the ring. Although as shown these holes are il-they-may be inclined or otherwise form or arrangement.

Betweei rthe slotted-head and the nut, 21, is clamped a spring-holder 22, with two wings, 23, this piece shown in elevation and plan respectively, in Figs. 14 and 15, carrying a spring, 24, Fig. 13, which spring is located in the slot, 14, at the top of the spindle. Figs. Hand 12 show a bent piece of steel, 25, preferably hardened, which is slipped on to the end of the spindle, 15, as shown clearly in Fig. 17. Figs. 16 and 17 illustrate the assembling of the spring and its adjunct-s. In Fig. 17 the spring, 24, is shown pressing against the wire being covered, 7, and also pressing this wire against 25.

in the recess, 20, Fig. 7 there rests, without being a fixture therein, a gauze disk, shown in Figs. 9 and 10. taking a piece of fine wire gauze, 44, and clamping it between two rings, 42 and 43, the outer diameter of 43 being such that the This is made by gauze disk can be slipped into the recess 20, but can be readily removed with a suitable. tool. In the center of the gauze is an eyelet, 46, clenched over a washer, 45.

The various arts above described, when put together, orm the complete rotating spindle shown in elevation in Fig. 2. This spindle runs in a white metal bearing, which is provided with oil holes, 38, 39.

In Fig. 2, 47 indicates the supply of oil, which is introduced through the hole, 38; and by the rotary action of the spindle is caused to travel in the spiral thread cut on the s indle, the oil is drawn upward by the spin 1e and overflows into the recess, 40, in the top of the bearing, and thence by the holes, 39, back into the oil reservoir. The oil is thrown off from the lower edge of 17, the shapeof which absolutely prevents any oil getting to the upper portion of the slottedhead, but where ball hearings or the like are employed this provision is not needed, and in such case the lower portion of 17 may be cut off, as shown in Figs. 7 and 16.

In Fig. 2, and also on a larger scale in Fig. 5, is shown a ring, 36, which is split and re movable; between this and a fixed ring, 31, is a washer, 47, of paper, cloth or the like, which acts as an air seal and is further referred to later.

In Figs. 3 and 4 is shown the fixed casing or chamber which incloses the spindle head. The tube, 3, is slotted at 33 and fitted with a shelf, 28. Inside the top portion of the tube, 3, rests loosely a cup-shaped stamping, 26, having a central hole, as shown in Fig. 2. A bead, or projection, 34, around the tube, 4, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, serves to support the complete spindle and also determines the height of the shelf, 28, in relation to the slotted top of the spindle.

In Figs. 1, 2 and 16, the bare wire or other core to be covered is indicated by 7, and the covered core by 8.

In Fig. 1 the various parts are shown assembled, and the method of working is best described by reference to this and to Fig. 2. The covering material, 1, in the form of rov-' ing 01' sliver, is passed through drawing rollers, 2, of which three pairs are shown. The roller which has been found preferable to all other forms is such as is described in the specification of the application for patent by the present applicant dated the 30th ()ctober 1905 Seriai No. 285173, the roller being made of a ring of corrugated metal mounted upon a flexible core.

The casting, 6, which carries the spindle is hollow as shown, and is connected to an exhausting fan. Air is therefore being con-, tinuously drawn in through the opening, 33, in the tube, 3, :part of it passing through the slots, 19-, and part through the gauze, 44, (Fig. 9). The air then passes by way of the holes, 18, and the opening, 30, into the holeaaeve low chamber of\the casting, 6, (Figs. 1 and 2); The object of the paper, cloth or like washer 47, above referred to and shown enlarged in Fig. 5, clamped between the rings 31, 36, is now apparent, the said washer acting as an air seal and preventing the air from passing direct from the opening, 33, into the upper part of the tube, 4, without passing through the slotted head.

The function of the slots, 19, in the slottedhead is as follows: As the fibers of cotton are released by the rollers, 2, they are attracted to the slotted-head by the air suction, and the edges of the slots help to separate the individual fibers from each other, the slots being sufiiciently narrow to prevent the fibers passing through them, when the spindle is rotating.

The slotted-head, being revolved at an enormously high speed, causes the air passing through the gauze top to be set into rapid rotation, the result being that inside the tube, 3, and under the cup, 26, there is created an air vortex, which carries the fibers of cotton with it to the center of the gauze, where the fibers enwrap themselves round the wire.

The shelf or ledge, 28, is for the purpose of preventing the fibers passing direct from the opening, 33, on to the gauze, and compels them to come under the influence of the slotted head.

The cup, 26, rests upon the eyelet of the gauze, although when working it is not in metallic contact with it, as there are always fibers of cotton between the cup and the eyelet.

The eyelet in the center of the gauze disk is supported by the slotted end of the spindle, 15, 16 (see Figs. 8, 16 and 17) and in the slot, 14, the spring, 24, operates, being held by the two upright ends, 23, of the support, 22. The wire being covered, 7, (see Fig. 17) passes between the spring, 24, and the clipshaped piece, 25, with the result that the fibrous covering is compacted on to the wire, whereas without any such spring pressure, the covering would tend to be loose and soft. The spring, 24, and the piece, 25, are made of very simple form, so that they can be renewed at very little cost if they become worn by the rubbing on the covered wire.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. An apparatus for covering a core with fibrous material, involving a rapidly revolving spindle for applying a stream of air-borne fibers to and around the core as a covering,

the head of said spindle forming a vacuum chamber composed or" a single annular wall, the said Wall being pierced with a series of equi-distantly spaced elongated perforations, adapted while aiding in the separation of the fibers to admit of the passage of air but to exclude fibers, and. an inclosed perforated covering provided with a central inlet orifice through which the corepasses mounted in said head.

. 2. An apparatus for covering a core with fibrous material involving a tube, 3, with slotted mouth oropening, 33, in combination with a shelf or ledge, 28, projecting inwardly from the lip of the tube to deflect the fibers into the path of the revolvin slotted-head and within the influence 0% the suction through the slots.

3. An apparatus for covering a core with fibrous material, involving a cup, a gauzed top, and a revolving spindle head,vsaid top forming a support for said cup.

4. In an apparatus for coverin a core with fibrous material, a vacuum cham er, detachable rings held within the wall of said chamber, and a perforated covering surface strained and clamped at its ed e between the said rings and removable wit the latter from said chamber.

5. In a machine for covering a core with fibers supplied to the point of covering in an air-borne continuous stream, a source of supply of unspun fibers, means for supply and support of the core and inclosing casing to aid in confining and directin the course of the stream of air and fibers oating therein and in formation of the spinning vortex of fibers and air,'a hollow rotary spindle, a head carried thereby and having a series of perforations in its wall forming air-suction vents, a sup orting annular flange at the interior of the head, a reticulated cover mounted on the flange, a holder carried by the spindle, a removable spring member supported by the holder and acting on the carrier for compressing and compacting the fibers thereon, anda clip cooperative with said spindle.

6. In an apparatus for covering a core with fibers, delivery means for the supply of fibers, a casing to guide direct and confine a current of air to cause it to loosen and carry fibers in a stream to the covering point, a rota spindle provided with a central passage or the core, a head mounted on said spindle forming a chamber, a reticulated cover carried by the head and having a central eyelet through which the core passes, a holder carried by the spindle, a spring member supported by the holder for compressing and compacting the fibers on the core, a 011 carried by the spindle and cooperative wit the spring member, an oil reservoir for supplying oil to the spindle, and a packing carried by the casing and contacting with the head to prevent the air from escaping below the head.

7. In an apparatus for covering a core with fibers, delivery means for the supply of fibers, a casing to guide direct and confine a current of air to cause it to loosen and carry fibers in a stream to the covering point, a rotar spindle provided with a central passage for the core, a head mounted on said spindle forming a chamber, a reticulated cover carried by the head and having a central eyelet through which the core passes, a holder carried by the spindle, a spring member supported by the holder for compressing and compacting the fibers on the core, a clip carried by the spindle and cooperative with the spring member, an oil reservoir for supplying oil to the spindle, a packing carried by the casing and contacting with the head to prevent the air from escaping below the head, and a ledge supported by the casing for deflecting the supply of fibers.

8. In a machine for covering a core with fibrous material, a centrally hollowed spindle and chambered head, a removable ret1cu lated cover for the chamber in the spindle head, having a central inlet orifice, a cup supported by said cover, means for giving rapid rotary motion to the spindle, and a casing for guiding a stream of fibers and air to the central opening in the spindle head.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing wit- IIGSSGS.

FREDERICK HUTOHINS. Witnesses:

GEORGE HARRY ELLIS, MAUD EWING PILLEY. 

